Should you build a capsule wardrobe? – Quiz

Answer

1.  Read the text and answer the questions. 

1. Why are denim jeans a versatile item of clothing?
Because they can be easily combined with other items of clothing for different looks.

2. Why are solid basics and neutral colours key to a capsule wardrobe?
Because they make combinations easier.

3. True or False? Fast fashion refers to clothes that stay fashionable for a long time.
False. Fast fashion refers to clothes which are trendy for just a short time, so are quickly replaced by newer trends.

4. What happens to fast fashion after it is thrown away?
It goes to landfill, resulting in an increase in pollution.

5. According to TRAID, how many times is the average item of clothing worn before it is disposed of?
The average garment is worn just 10 times. 

2. Choose the appropriate words or phrases to complete the following sentences.

1. Her outfit is so sophisticated. She must work in fashion.

2. Sarah wore shiny high heels to the party. She looked very glamorous.

3. I’ve used this handbag for 20 years and it still looks new! It’s so long-lasting. 

4. I buy a new coat every few months because they go out of style so quickly.

5. This combination always looks good on you – blue jeans and a basic white t-shirt. 

 Should you build a capsule wardrobe?

Do you ever struggle with choosing your outfit in the morning? If you have a full wardrobe yet still feel you don’t have anything to wear, you might want to build yourself a capsule wardrobe!

So, what is this? Put simply, a capsule wardrobe is a small selection of items of clothing that complement each other, and are therefore interchangeable. Key to the capsule wardrobe is solid basics, like plain tops, and, ideally, neutral colours, because they make combinations easier. Think about the versatility of a simple pair of denim jeans. They can be combined with trainers and a t-shirt for a casual look or a blazer paired with heels, or loafers, if you want to look more sophisticated. Fashion bloggers also talk about timeless classics – picture a luxury black handbag that will suit any occasion and won’t go out of style.  

But why might it be beneficial to build a capsule wardrobe? Well, by limiting your choices, it can become much easier to choose what to wear, but there is another advantage too – it can reduce the amount of fast fashion. Fast fashion refers to clothes which are trendy for just a short time, so are quickly replaced by newer trends. This results in cheap and poor-quality clothing which has huge environmental costs as waste goes to landfill, resulting in an increase in pollution. According to UK clothes waste charity TRAID, the average garment is worn just 10 times before being disposed of. So, having a capsule wardrobe with long-lasting and high-quality clothes should help reduce this, even if it means paying more in the first place.

Fashion and lifestyle magazine, Vogue, says ‘building an excellent capsule wardrobe takes time and patience’. But, if you want to reduce waste and have some extra time in the morning, it might be time to start building!